Flexible file holder

Abstract

A file holder 10 allows a blade 12 to be attached to a base 20, such as by grub screws. At one end of the base 20 there is a handle 16 rotatably mounted on the base 20 and incorporating a cam surface. A tension bar 18 extends between the handle 16 and the other end of the base 20. The tension bar 18 incorporates a cam follower which bears on the cam surface in the handle 16 so that as the handle 16 is rotated, the separation of the two points is cuased to vary, so that base 20 and the blade 12 flex to a degree which depends on the position of the handle 16 in relation to the base 20.

I claim: 
     
       1. A file holder comprising first and second attachment means for attaching a flexible file blade to the holder in spaced-apart relation, a first member incorporating a cam surface and being so connected to the first attachment means as to be movable with respect thereto, a second member connected to the second attachment means and incorporating a cam follower bearing on the cam surface, the cam surface being so shaped as to vary the spaced-apart relation of the attachment means as the first member moves, said spaced-apart relation being variable by the cam surface between a first position in which the attachment means are relatively far apart and the said blade is relaxed and straight, and a second position in which the attachment means are relatively close together and the said blade is flexed, whereby a file attached to the holder may be variably flexed. 
     
     
       2. A holder according to claim 1, wherein a flexible base member is provided which carries the attachment means and the first and second members. 
     
     
       3. A holder according to claim 2, wherein the attachment means are detachable from the base member. 
     
     
       4. A holder according to claim 2, wherein the attachment means and the base member are so arranged that a file mounted in the holder lies along the base, the base and the file flexing together as the first member is moved. 
     
     
       5. A holder according to claim 2, wherein the first member is rotatable on the base member. 
     
     
       6. A holder according to claim 5, wherein the first member is rotatable about a first axis, the cam surface being circular and centered on a second axis. 
     
     
       7. A holder according to claim 5, wherein the first member comprises an integral handle by means of which the first member may be rotated. 
     
     
       8. A holder according to claim 7, wherein the integral handle comprises a portion around which the fingers of a user may be closed to grasp the handle, the cam surface being so shaped that, in use, the graspable portion is generally parallel to an unflexed file blade held in the holder. 
     
     
       9. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the first member comprises an arcuate slot, the walls of which provide the cam surface. 
     
     
       10. A holder according to claim 9, wherein the cam surface is formed by the surfaces of a groove or recess in the slot walls. 
     
     
       11. A holder according to claim 10, wherein the second member extends into the slot, and the cam follower comprises a lug which engages the cam surface provided by the walls. 
     
     
       12. A holder according to claim 11, wherein the cam follower comprises a second, oppositely directed lug engaging a second cam surface, the cam surfaces being provided by respective walls of the slot. 
     
     
       13. A holder according to claim 12, wherein the mouth of the slot is relatively narrow and the width of the slot in the region of the cam surface is relatively wide, whereby the lugs retain the second member in the slot. 
     
     
       14. A holder according to claim 12, wherein the first member comprises two parts each providing one of the cam surfaces and attachable together to form the slot therebetween. 
     
     
       15. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the second member is in the form of a bar having the cam follower at a first end and being rotatably attached to the second attachment means at its second end. 
     
     
       16. A holder according to claim 15, wherein the second end is attached to the base member by means of two lugs attached to the base member and between which the second end is located by means of co-operating pins and sockets.